Helius Minerals Appoints Non-Executive Director for Development Activities at the Serra Pelada Project

Helius Minerals Limited has strengthened its board of directors with the appointment of Leigh Junk as an Independent Non-Executive Director, a strategic move aimed at accelerating development of the company's Serra Pelada project. The appointment represents a significant enhancement to the company's leadership team as it transitions from exploration to development activities.

Junk brings exceptional credentials to Helius, with over three decades of mining industry experience spanning executive management, operational leadership, and strategic oversight. His most recent role as Managing Director of Karora Resources Ltd., which was subsequently acquired by Westgold Resources Ltd. in a C$1.2 billion transaction, demonstrates his ability to build shareholder value and execute major corporate transactions. His operational experience includes co-founding a private company that successfully acquired and recommissioned multiple nickel operations in the Kambalda district of Western Australia, showcasing his expertise in mine development and turnaround situations.

The appointment is particularly timely as Helius focuses on advancing its Serra Pelada project and broader South American portfolio. Junk's combination of technical expertise as a mining engineer, proven track record in public company leadership across both Australian and Canadian markets, and experience with the Australian Institute of Company Directors provides the strategic and operational guidance necessary for complex international mining development.

For the broader junior mining sector, this appointment reflects the continued consolidation of experienced talent as companies seek to differentiate themselves through board expertise and operational capability. The emphasis on South American jurisdiction development aligns with broader industry trends toward diversifying geographic exposure and capitalizing on emerging mining-friendly regulatory environments in the region.